Chronic kidney disease as independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), def ined as an est imated glomerular f i l t rat ion rate (eGFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1,73 m2, is a broad publ ic heal th problem. The mean global prevalence of CKD is est imated to be 13.4% [1]. This percentage encompasses the est imated prevalence of diabetes, which is close to 8.2% [1]. Diabetes was considered a coronary artery disease risk equivalent , but subsequent data have not supported this content ion. Conversely, CKD is associated with higher al l -cause mortal i ty rates compared to previous myocardial infarct ion [2]. Thus, pat ients with a coronary heart disease equivalent should have a risk for a coronary event comparable to those with a history of myocardial infarct ion. Most of the coronary risk in pat ients with CKD is driven by longstanding exposure to t radit ional cardiovascular risk factors [3].